Stabilized pigmented cellulose acetate-



United States Patent STABILIZED PIGMENTED CELLULOSE ACETATE- BUTYRATE MGLDING COL [POSITIONS CUN- ice of the Weather-Ometer consisted in the addition of 8 Westinghouse 20-watt fluorescent sun lamps, mounted vertically at a distance of about 2 inches from the sample drum. This modification of the Weather-Ometer was described in detail in a paper by J. W. Tamblyn and G. M. TAINING P TE ROPYL GALLA Armstrong, entitled A Modification of the Atlas Twin- George C. De Croes and John W. Tamblyn, Kingsport, Arc Weather-Ometer, presented March 31, 1952 before -9 asslgllflls t0 EaSFmim K0531 i R0951- the Division of Paint, Varnish, and Plastics Chemistry of ester a corporatlon of New Jersey the American Chemical Society, at a national meeting in N0 Drawing Application September 15, 1952 10 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and pubhshed in Analytical Serial No. 309,742 chemlstry 25, 6 1

Inherent viscosities were measured in acetone so utions 1 Clam (CL 106-182) at a concentration of 0.23 g. per 100 cc. Brittleness was defined as a break at bend angles of less than 90 when Thisinvention relates to cellulose acetate-butyrate moldh Piece was b i h TOur Marsha11 test f tifi. ing compositions, and more particularly to compositions of 11655 i flexure (A, S, T, M. D747-43T) The flexural this nature which are suitable for outdoor use. It is known th wa calculated from data obtained by the aforeet the We r ng en te ed in oo use s a 1 said Tour-Marshall test. The following table illustrates terious effect 011 plastics- Addition of certain P g the results obtained. In the table, the abbreviation pt. and/or of antioxidants to the plastic compositions has stands for parts per 100 parts of cellulose acetate-butyrate, been known to prolong their life under outdoor condiby weight.

Hours Exposure Required for- 0"101 ClorAftc Antioxidant Pigment g gi g or fixposurer %mLoss 25%;]?055 125$??? Flexural Inherent Brittle- Strength Viscosity ness None None Water clear Water clean... 150 160 150 1 pt. propyl gallate n .do n 300 300 None 2pt. anatase TlOz..- White White 550 1,300 400 1 pt. propyl gallate 2 pt. anatase T101--- Grayish-white do 4, 700 4, 700 4, 700

tions to some extent, but in the case of light-colored pigments the improvement obtained was not outstanding, even when an antioxidant was also added. Some pigments even catalyze the deterioration.

We have found a combination of pigment and antioxidant which has a synergistic efiect, prolonging the outdoor life of cellulose acetate-butyrate compositions far beyond what could be expected from the individual effects of the pigment and the anti-oxidant. One pigment which is desirable in cellulose acetatebutyrate plastics for outdoor use is the anatase form of titanium dioxide. It gives a white plastic which is useful in plastic tire covers and as a protective coating on metal tubing for hand railings and lawn furniture, the coating being extruded onto the tubing. We have found that a combination of propyl gallate and the anatase form of titanium dioxide prolongs to a surprising extent the resistance to weathering of cellulose acetate-butyrate molding compositions.

In testing the cellulose acetate-butyrate molded composistions, compression-molded samples, 2.5 x 0.5" x 0.050", from a rolled composition consisting of 100 parts of cellulose acetate-butyrate (37% butyryl; 13% acetyl), 12 parts of dibutyl sebacate and the indicated parts of propyl gallate and/ or anatase titanium dioxide were exposed at 60 C. in a modified Atlas Twin-Arc Weather- Ometer set on the 51 min.: 9 min. dry: wet cycle with the sample drum revolving once a minute. The modification The very great improvement brought about by the combination of specific pigment and specific antioxidant is evident from the table. The specific plasticizer used in the example forms no part of our invention. Similar re sults may be obtained with cellulose acetate-butyrate plastics in which other known plasticizers therefor are used. The butyryl and acetyl contents of the cellulose acetate-butyrate may also be varied. The proportions of pigment and antioxidant with relation to each other and to the cellulose acetate-butyrate may also be varied.

What we claim as our invention and desire to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A cellulose acetate-butyrate molding composition stabilized against weathering by a content of approximately 1 part of propyl gallate and 2 parts of the anatase form of titanium dioxide pigment per parts of cellulose acetate-butyrate, by weight.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,955,825 Palmer Apr. 24, 1934 2,223,893 Lohmann Dec. 3, 1940 2,432,517 Dreyfus Dec. 16, 1947 2,499,526 Prichard Mar. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 645,392 Great Britain Nov. 1, 1950 

